The 2008 "Team Aloha" high school girls basketball squad — which will represent Hawai'i in the prestigious Arizona Elite Spring Classic April 18-20 — was introduced this afternoon by Mayor Mufi Hannemann at Blaisdell Arena.

Team Aloha consists of 13 players from around the state who have at least one more year of high school eligibility. One of the goals of the program, which is sponsored by Hannemann and the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association, is to give Hawai'i players Mainland exposure and provide an opportunity to be observed by dozens of college coaches offering scholarships.

Six of the 13 players on this year's team come from Neighbor Islands, including Advertiser All-State first team selection Kamie Imai of Waiakea.

The 13 players, selected after consultation with daily newspaper sports reporters, are:

Kamie Imai (Waiakea)

Johnelle Kapua (Mid-Pacific)

Pua Furtado (Kamehameha)

Tami Konishi ('Iolani)

Kanisha Bello (Kamehameha-Hawai'i)

Kara Hanato-Smith (Konawaena)

Taeja Afalava (Kahuku)

Ashley Satterwhite (Punahou)

Janelle Nomura (Punahou)

Tayler Wang (Hawai'i Prep)

Violet Alama (Kalani)

Kalei Adolpho (Moloka'i)

Milika Taufa (Lahainaluna)

The team will be coached by former University of Hawai'i guard and Moanalua coach Dana Takahara-Dias and Hannemann.

The inaugural Team Aloha, led by reigning Advertiser State Player of the Year Shawna-Lei Kuehu of Punahou, won the prestigious Nike Storm and Swish Fall Shootout at Santa Barbara, Calif., in September 2006.